Review: Canon SX 60 For Bird Photography, Why I Do Not Like This Camera!

Lillian Stokes

Hi,

The Canon SX 60 HS is now available for sale.

I own the SX 60 and have tested it against my Canon SX 50, which I love, have used extensively for bird photography and reviewed here.

I do NOT advise you to get the Canon SX 60. Bottom line, I think the image quality on the SX 60 SX is inferior to that on the SX 50 when used under the conditions for bird photography, and the SX 50 performs more reliably. Get the SX 50 now while it is still available. It is no longer produced but you can get it used online.

If you have gotten the SX 60 there are a few things which may help you use it better.
1. Do not use at full telephoto extension because at full telephoto extension the photo will not be sharp.
2. Try using it on a monopod to help steady it, especially if you are trying to use at full telephoto extension, in order to get shaper photos.
3. Try using Framing Assist Lock, to help steady the camera, especially at full telephoto extension.
4. Sports Mode is not anywhere near as good as the SX 50, so don't be disappointed if many of your photos do not turn out sharp on this setting.
5. You can get my 10 pages of extensive tips for the SX 50, many apply to the SX 60. Get them by emailing me, email link is at top right of this page.

There are a few good things about the SX 60

1. The viewfinder and the back screen are very good, much better resolution than the SX 50. I so wish these features were on the SX 50.
2. It has a better from grip and feels more substantial than the SX 50.
3. The continuous shooting mode has been increased to 6.4 frames a sec.
4. It has a 1350 mm equivalent telephoto, vs. the 1200 mm equivalent of the SX 50. both have good image stabilization. However, the photos taken at the full telephoto are of an inferior quality to the SX 50.
3. It has other bells and whistles such as full HD video, wi-fi capability, etc. (most of which I am not as interested in and I understand the wi-fi is hard to hook up).
3. In good light, and when the telephoto is not fully expended, and a bird is holding still, it can take very good photos.
See this SX 60 untouched, uncropped photo shot on Auto mode, of a Song Sparrow in my bird bath.

The not good things with the SX 60,

1. The image quality, in general, is not as good as the SX 50 when I have used it for bird photography. Other reviewers have also said this.
2. The image quality deteriorates at the full telephoto extension of 1350 mm. For bird photography, it is very useful to be able to photograph at full telephoto, since birds are small and often far away. This is what
Reviewed.com had to say about it,

"The new 65x zoom lens is better than the SX50's in some ways, but worse in others. The improved zoom range is useful, but at the telephoto end autofocus is painfully slow, often inaccurate, and the resulting photos lack sharpness. The problem is that with such a small sensor you can't zoom in this much without hitting what is called the "diffraction limit." Without getting too technical, the diffraction limit is a barrier beyond which sharpness across the frame begins to drop significantly—no matter how good your lens is. It's a particular problem for point-and-shoots like the SX60 which have small sensors and small maximum apertures as you zoom in."

3. The control dial on the back has been made smaller than the SX 50's, I do not think it is as easy to use. 

4. When you want to change the ISO or exposure compensation, it is harder for me to do this on the SX 60 than on the SX 50. Since I often shoot on AV (aperture priority) I frequently change the exposure compensation and the ISO, often while I am looking through the viewfinder. It is important for me to be able do this easily.
For example, to get to Exposure Compensation on the SX 60 you have to hit a button above the control dial to bring it up, then move your finger to the top of the camera and turn the wheel on the top to change the exposure compensation. To to bring up the ISO setting on the SX 60 you have to hit the function set button in the middle of the control dial then hit the right or left edge of the control dial to scroll right or left to change the ISO. Since the control dial is small, it is not easy to hit its edge easily. You also cannot rotate the dial, as you can on the SX 50.
To bring up the ISO setting on the SX 50 you hit the bottom of the control dial to bring up the ISO setting and since your finger is already on the control dial it is easier to then hit the left or right edge, or you can also rotate the dial, to move the ISO setting. To change the Exposure Compensation on the SX 50 you hit the top edge of the control dial then hit the right or left edge, or rotate the dial, to change the ISO.
Note: Yes, I know, the control dials on the back of both these cameras are not the easiest thing to work with and I have heard complaints about the SX 50, especially if you have large hands.

Here are some comparison images from both cameras. This is a Downy Woodpecker I photographed from the same spot, with both cameras at full extension in the digital range (SX 60 equivalent 1365 mm., SX 50 1200 mm.) Both were in AV and both aside from cropping, are untouched. The SX 50 photo is somewhat sharper with more definition.

Canon SX 60 Downy Woodpecker

Canon SX 50, Downy Woodpecker

Here are two bluebird photos of an Eastern Bluebird on our feeder. Taken from the same location at the same distance, with telephotos extended, on Av (aperture priority), untouched photos aside from cropping. Slightly more definition with the SX 50.

Canon SX 60, Eastern Bluebird

Canon SX 50, Eastern Bluebird

Here's a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker I just photographed today with the SX 60, untouched photo only slightly cropped. Not an easy shot as the bird was moving its head a lot, making holes in the apple tree to get at the sap and the lighting was not bright as the bird was in shade. I tried AV, Sports Mode (I could to get the camera to focus on the bird in Sports Mode) and this Auto shot was the best I got. On Auto the camera chose f 5.6, 1/160, ISO 500.

I was recently on the NH coast and tried the SX 60 for birds in flight. I used Sports Mode. I had a hard time getting any sharp photos of the gulls in flight. Here is one of the best I got of a Herring Gull and it is not sharp. It is untouched, just cropped.

Here is a sitting Herring Gull taken with the SX 60. It is untouched, just cropped. It is not sharp.

For comparison, here is a photo of a sitting Herring Gull I took the same day, under similar conditions, with the Canon SX 50. It is sharp. It is untouched, just cropped.

So, basically, from my point of view so far, the case is out on the SX 60, you are better off buying the Canon SX 50.


I am Lillian Stokes, a prominent American bird author, photographer and blogger, who, with my husband Don, have written over 35 best-selling books on birds and nature including the best-selling

The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America

The New Stokes Field Guide to Birds, Eastern Region

The New Stokes Field Guide to Birds, Western Region

Many of my photos were used in those guides. Right now I use the Canon SX 50 HS camera, as well as my high end Canon 1D X and Canon 7D II camera, for bird photography. If you are interested in photographing birds you need to accurately identify the birds you photograph, so buy our books.

Meanwhile, here is some information from the press release on the SX 60,

The PowerShot SX60 HS Digital Camera The new PowerShot SX60 HS digital camera is the latest addition to Canon’s SX high-power zoom lineup. With 65x optical zoom (equivalent to 21-1365mm) and Optical Image Stabilization for steady images, this camera lets users zoom in and capture special moments even at long range. This new model includes a 16.1 megapixel* CMOS image sensor that, when paired with Canon’s DIGIC 6 Image processor, creates Canon’s high-sensitivity HS System to enhance low-light image quality.  Further boosting the performance of the camera’s 65x zoom lens is Canon’s innovative Intelligent IS system which provides users with outstanding eight-mode shake correction technology. For filmmaking enthusiasts, the camera’s 1080/60p Full HD video capabilities feature the choice of automatic or manual exposure control together with a built-in stereo microphone and a port for optional external stereo microphone to record life-like audio with ease. 

Like the PowerShot G7 X, the PowerShot SX60 HS camera is equipped with built-in Wi-Fi technology, so users can share the amazing still images and videos taken with the camera online quickly and easily using compatible mobile devices. The camera’s Mobile Device Connect Button makes it easy for users to connect to a compatible smartphone or tablet. Images and movies uploaded to the cloud via Canon iMAGE GATEWAY can be shared easily on social media platforms. The PowerShot SX60 HS camera also includes NFC making initial setup and pairing easier with a compatible Android device.  

The PowerShot SX60 HS camera features Canon’s Face Detection and Tracking AF system plus full resolution continuous shooting up to 6.4 frames per second (when not utilizing Tracking AF).  The camera also features a new EOS-style grip design for comfortable and secure handling. Users can choose between a three-inch 922K dot Vari-Angle LCD screen for low-or high-angle shooting and a high-resolution 922K dot electronic viewfinder, ideal for shooting in bright outdoor conditions. 

When shooting at extreme telephoto focal lengths, the Zoom Framing Assist function remembers the user’s previous zoom position, zooms out to locate the subject, and zooms right back into the saved position when the button is released. An additional feature to this Zoom Framing Assist allows users to preset a desired composition such as whole body, upper body or face. Once this feature is enabled, the PowerShot SX60 HS camera will zoom its lens automatically to maintain the desired composition even if the subject moves closer or further from the camera. Another new function called Zoom Memory makes it possible to quickly return to the most recently used zoom position, even if the battery or memory card is replaced. 

To help make photographs and video that are creative yet simple to capture, the PowerShot SX60 HS camera features Creative Shot mode and Canon’s Smart AUTO mode that intelligently selects optimal camera settings from 58 different pre-defined scenes for still shots and 21 for video. The PowerShot SX60 HS camera also features full-manual exposure and focus control, with the photographer’s choice of JPEG, RAW, or JPEG+RAW capture modes. The PowerShot SX60 HS camera is fully compatible with Canon EX-series Speedlites for professional quality lighting effects.

Black-necked Stilts just arrived, Sanibel, FL

Black-necked Stilts, male in front, female behind

Black-ncked Stilt, male

They have recently returned from migration here on Sanibel Island, FL. Male and female look alike except the female has a slightly browner back than the male. The sweet pair in the first photo was making themselves at home at the Bailey Tract, part of Ding Darling NWR on Sanibel. They breed in much of the West and up the East Coast. Such dramatic birds and a treat to see.

Western Kingbird, Sanibel Island, FL

Up to 8 have been seen on Sanibel, Island, FL the past few days!

Mangove Cuckoo Magic, Ding Darling NWR 2/28/14

Mangrove Cuckoo which we were lucky to see today in J.N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Note the yellow orbital ring, curved bill and yellow lower mandible.

Note the long tail with bold white tips to feathers.

Mangrove Cuckoos are secretive and often stay quietly sitting in the mangroves.

Here's another view of the remarkable tail.

We led a Stokes Birding Tour as a fundraiser for the refuge and had the refuge to ourselves as it took place on friday, a day the refuge is closed to visitors.

We were able to see the cuckoo because we ran into the Mangrove Cuckoo research team of Rachel Frieze and her husband, Steve, from the Ecostudies Institute and they were observing this cuckoo. 

Don and I led a Stokes Birding Tour as a special fundraiser for J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge and our whole group got to see a Mangrove Cuckoo, the holy grail bird of southern Florida and on every serious birders want list who visits here. We took two trams through the refuge on friday (when the refuge is closed) and saw wonderful birds. How lucky for us that we ran into Rachel and Steve, who are researching Mangrove Cuckoos in the refuge, and they had one in view!! What a thrill for all of us!
There is still lots to learn about Mangrove Cuckoos, who are very secretive and uncommon and exist in the U.S. in mangrove habitat only in southern Florida. Ecostudies has been studying the life history and ecology of Mangrove Cuckoos in this refuge since 2012. They track the cuckoos during the year to understand their seasonal movements and habitat requirements. It is important to learn about this since the Mangrove Cuckoo population in southwest Florida has been declining.
You can help support the Mangrove Cuckoo research by making donations through the Ding Darling Wildlife Society (who helps support the cuckoo research) and earmark the donations for the Mangrove Cuckoo research.
Thank you all for coming on our Stokes Birding Tour!
I took all these photos with my Canon SX 50!
(FYI, it is not legal to play tapes in Ding Darling NWR in order to lure out birds.)
Lillian Stokes

White-crowned Pigeon, Ding Darling NWR, Sanibel, FL

White-crowned Pigeon at Ding Darling NWR, on the Shell Mound Trail, when sun came out.

White-crowned Pigeon

Preening

This afternoon we saw a White-crowned Pigeon on the Shell Mound Trail at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. This is a very unusual bird for here, although there have been a very few sightings previously on Sanibel. Their status is listed as Threatened in FL. They live in the very southern tip of FL. Research has indicated that the total distribution of this bird occurs in the Caribbean Basin, the Bahamas and extreme southern Florida, but they make long over-water flights between breeding and wintering areas within this region. They are threatened due to loss of habitat and hunting and poaching in their range. White-crowned Pigeons feed mainly on fruits of hardwood trees and they are an important dispersal agent for these trees. It was nice to see this bird on the Shell Mound trail, which had a lot of fruiting hardwood trees, thus providing the type of habitat crucial for this bird species. What a special bird for us to see!!

Bald Eagle Attacked by Red-shouldered Hawk

This young Bald Eagle (2nd yr.) was sitting in a large tree near our Sanibel, FL backyard, minding its own business.

When all of a sudden this Red-shouldered Hawk flies right at it and the Bald Eagle opens its wings

and decides to get out of there. The Red-shouldered Hawk is about to attack it.

Looks like a mid-air collision. The Bald Eagle continued to fly off and the Red-shouldered Hawk left. This Red-shouldered Hawk is nesting near where the eagle was sitting and it decided it was not going to tolerate the eagle, at least not today. Lucky I had my camera (Canon 1D Mark IV) nearby.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Roseate Spoonbills

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope your day is "Rosy"

Lillian and Don

Pileated Woodpecker drumming

Pileated Woodpecker, male

We just had a Pileated Woodpecker drumming on our house. Fortunately, it was on the metal roof so no damage done. Drumming is a woodpecker's way of communicating. Woodpeckers do not sing. Each woodpecker species has their own drumming version. In the case of the Pileated, it is a loud continuous drumming sound, trailing off at the end. Drumming is used in pair communication and territorial encounters. It is so thrilling to see a Pileated up close, we did not mind the drumming!

Marbled Godwit beauty, one of the prettiest shorebirds!

Marbled Godwit, one of the prettiest shorebirds

Doing shorebird yoga

Beautiful pink bill

How many Marbled Godwits can you find hiding among the Willets?

Here are some recent shots I took at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge where 2 Marbled Godwits are hanging out among the other shorebirds, much to the delight of the birders and photographers. This has got to be one of the prettiest shorebirds. This is a shorebird you can see in winter on mudflats in southern coastal areas of the East, West and also on the Gulf Coast. In summer they breed in wetlands and grasslands in the northern plains areas and into Canada. Enjoy their beauty.

Ding Darling Sunset Beauty

As sunset approaches, at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the light gets beautiful. The Double-crested Cormorant stands, lone dark figure against the white snow of the White Pelicans.

A Wood Stork flies into shore, backlit against the lowering sun.

A Snowy Egret guards the shore,

and flies after any intruder, full out fury.

White Pelican take-off, centered below the lowering, glowing ball.

Beauty in Birds through digital photography

Roseate Spoonbill, has pink angel wings.

Brown Pelicans are beautiful when viewed close up, look at the eye.

There's much beauty in birds, some of it undiscovered until you take a digital photo and realize all the things you have not looked at before. Digital photography and telephoto lenses give you new eyes and new appreciation for birds. These photos were taken with my Canon SX 50 HS camera, a superzoom bridge camera.
Lillian

How to Help Bluebirds Survive in Winter

The weather this winter in northern areas has been brutally cold and unpredictable and it's just getting started. Some of you have written to us expressing surprise and concern that you are seeing bluebirds in northern areas in winter. Here's some tips to help them survive. You can make a difference.

1. Bluebirds can roost together in bird houses to keep warm. Insulate your bird houses by closing off all cracks, drainage holes, etc., with some sort of insulating material so less drafts and cold get into the bird house. Just leave the entrance hole open. Face bird houses away from prevailing winter winds.

2. Bluebirds mainly eat fruit and berries in winter. Plant your property with an abundance of crabapples and native, berry-producing shrubs such as viburnums and hollies (like winterberry holly). Place these berry plantings in sunny, protected areas, blocked from winter winds. The bluebirds will have a warm place to eat and use less precious energy.

3. Some bluebirds will come to food such as, hulled sunflower, suet, dried mealworms, and some of the many "bluebird meal mixtures" or nuggets. Generally most bluebirds do not do this but they may learn to do so, especially if you get them used to these foods in spring and summer when bluebirds are nesting near you. You can certainly try putting out these foods in winter and if bluebirds come to them, keep feeding all through the winter. Your best bet is to also have lots of berries planted in your yard.

4. Bluebirds like water (may help with processing the berries) and will visit bird baths and heated bird baths. In general, when it is very severely cold, some people think it is a risk for birds to bathe. Holding off on the water, or placing sticks over the bird bath to only allow birds to drink, not bathe, may be a good idea in this situation. Many birds will eat snow in winter to get water.

Most bluebirds move out of the northernmost areas of their range in winter. Even ones that may linger eventually move on, once their berry sources are depleted or ice-covered. For bluebirds, and many birds, there is a trade-off of staying more north in order to be first to claim prime breeding territories, yet risking survival due to bad weather. Some of these tips may help them survive and you feel you're helping them. Bluebirds are truly beloved. Make sure and have nest boxes cleaned out and ready when bluebirds return in spring.

For more complete information see Stokes Bluebird Book.

For the very latest identification information and range maps on the birds of North America, including all three species of North American Bluebirds; Eastern Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird and Western Bluebird, see our new best-seller, The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America 

Happy Holidays From Lillian and Don Stokes

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and we hope you have a wonderful

bird-filled 2014!!

Lillian and Don

Cedar Waxwing Glory of the Season

Cedar Waxwings

Our Christmas Bird Count team, l. to r., Don and Corgi Phoebe, me and Corgi Abby, Meade Cadot, Sandy Taylor, Jonathan Atwood (photo taken by Polly Pattison)

Cedar Waxwings move in flocks and look for berries in winter.

They love crabapples.

We did the Christmas Bird Count here, in southern NH, last weekend on one of the coldest days it has ever been held. After tramping around in the cold, we came across this glorious scene, a group of Cedar Waxwings feeding on crabapples. What beautiful birds, looking like velvety apparitions against the seasonal colors of red crabapples and white snow. I quietly enjoyed them and, from a distance, took these photos in the overcast winter light. Enjoying nature in each season is what it's all about. (Canon SX 50 photos.)

Now that you've saved Snowy Owls, help save Bald Eagles, warblers from slaughter on Lake Erie

Bald Eagle

Nashville Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Sign near globally significant bird area on Lake Erie

Snowy Owls were just saved from killing when the NY Port Authority reversed their decision from shooting the Snowy Owls to trapping and removing them at JFK airport. The outcry of bird lovers on social media, TV, internet, etc. had an effect. Now Bald Eagles, warblers, and millions of migratory birds need your help!

These birds could face slaughter on a major migration flyway on Lake Erie by poorly located wind turbines. We are in favor of wind energy and wind energy is beneficial when sited in the right place, but not when massive wind turbines are placed smack in the middle of a major migration route where hundreds of thousands of migrating warblers pass by and where there is the largest concentration of breeding Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states! This could be a disaster for these birds.

Magee Marsh, the "warbler capital of the world," and nearby areas are under heavy pressure from the threat of wind energy development. Birders flock to Magee Marsh each fall to witness the many thousands of beautiful warblers and other migratory birds who fly through this area using Magee as a stopover and feeding area. More than 50 active Bald Eagle nests are nearby. There are plans to place numbers of large turbines along Lake Erie's shore in this area. In fact, several of them are already up and operating in these highly bird-sensitive areas. Future plans for even more turbines must be stopped! Black Swamp Bird Observatory is leading this effort.

Birders are an important voice for bird conservation, as well as an economic force. The tens of thousands of birders have who have visited Magee Marsh for warbler watching have brought significant money to the local economy.

If you are a birder or bird lover, here's how you can help:

Go to this link and SIGN THE PETITION and email these politicians and protest.

Good News, JFK airport will now trap and relocate Snowy Owls, not kill them!

Well, good news for Snowy Owls! The NY Port Authority, which has allowed Snowy Owls to be shot at JFK airport has now changed its mind and they are starting a program to trap and relocate the owls instead of shooting them.

I was interviewed for the NY Daily News exclusive story that broke on Monday which said the NY Port Authority had put the owls on their kill list and had already shot 3 of them. While I understand that birds can pose a threat to planes, I expressed my dismay and told the reporter there was a better way to treat the owls. I told the reporter to also interview Norm Smith, a raptor bander, who, at Boston's Logan airport, had been successfully trapping and relocating the Snowy Owls for years. I also gave her the name to interview, of Jeff Gordon, president of the American Birding Association.

Once the story broke birders sprung into action to put pressure on the NY Port Authority to change its policy. Through facebook, blogs and social media, the word spread. There was an online petition (which I and over 3,000 other people signed) addressed to Gov. Cuomo, asking him to stop the killing of the owls. The TV news stations got on the story. The pressure from bird lovers and the birding community was successful!! Thanks to everyone who made an effort!!

Snowy Owls, a tundra breeding species, have been appearing in unusually large numbers in the U.S. this winter and seeking out tundra-like habitat such as large airports, coastal dunes, fields. Some think it may be due to a lack of enough food availability in their usual range or a population surge of the owls. Snowy Owls have been seen now as far south as NC and Bermuda. Snowy Owls eat lemmings on their breeding range and in winter can eat rodents and waterfowl.
I and my husband Don, saw 9 Snowy Owls in the coastal NH area on Nov. 30th, when I took the above photos.

Lesson learned. Birders are a community who can be effective at bird conservation when they join together and lobby for safe treatment of birds.

NY City JFK Airport Now Shooting Snowy Owls!

Showy Owls are in the crosshairs at NY City Airports

The Port Authority has shot three of them so far.

Update, Tues., Dec. 10th.
Good news, since I wrote the blog post below, the NY Port Authority has changed its policy and will stop shooting the Snowy Owls and instead trap and remove them. Read my update here.

I was interviewed for a story in today's New York Daily News whose headline and tease is is "Hoot To Kill... Exclusive: Whooo'd be so cruel? Port Authority declares open season on adorable snowy "Harry Potter' owl at JFK airport." This is terrible news for Snowy Owls, especially when there may be a better, safer way to handle the issue that these magnificent birds, who leave their tundra home in times of food stress, seek out tundra-like habitat, such as airports, coastal dunes and fields in the lower U.S. I told the reporter that Boston's Logan Airport has a ace raptor bander, Norm Smith, who traps and removes the Snowy Owls who show up at Logan Airport, safely releasing the elsewhere. She did also interview Norm and there is a separate story on him in the paper.

The NY Port Authority gave permission for Snowy Owls to be exterminated at NY City airports and three have been shot so far. Owls are an issue for plane safety since they could be sucked into a plane engine. The news story has a quote "Even a wildlife specialist didn't understand why they were being killed because they are not part of a large population and they are easy to catch and relocate, unlike seagulls." Norm said that even though a Snowy Owl could get sucked into a jet engine,"its not like a flock of geese that is going to take out more than one engine and bring down a plane."

Snowy Owls are showing up in the U.S. in huge numbers this year and have been seen as far south as NC and Bermuda. These owls live in the tundra and must leave in winter when there is not enough food because of a drop in their prey (the lemming population) or there is a bumper crop of owls. They then irrupt south in large numbers and seek out tundra-like habitat and hope to find things they can eat like rodents, waterfowl, etc. Don and I saw 9 on the NH Coast on Nov. 30th, and I got the above photos taken from a distance in a car. See my blog post and more photos on the Snowy Owls here.

Birders across much of the eastern part of the country are being thrilled at seeing Snowy Owls, a lifer for many. One issue has been to educate people to keep a respectful distance from the owls for observing or photography, so as not to disturb them as they need to conserve energy and hunt for food. Now this! When are we going to be more sensitive to the needs of wildlife and find win-win solutions when the presence of wildlife may come in conflict with human needs.